“Ready?” Jaxson asked.
I nodded, and he began leading us down a faint trail of crushed moss and brush. My nose flared at the scent of wolves, though it wasn’t as strong as it should have been. One consequence of binding my wolf meant that my senses had diminished. Along with my ability to shift, I’d also lost my strength.
My gut twisted. Could I still heal?
My mind began a new kind of calculus, remembering how many times the Dark God’s minions had nearly killed me. Our next showdown would require a completely different approach if I was going to live.
It wasn’t likely either way, was it?
Probably sensing my distress, Sam sidled up and took my arm, though there was barely enough room to walk side by side. She gave me a strained but genuine smile. “Don’t worry. Jax is technically head of the council, so even if they’ve gone behind his back, he’ll know how to handle them. And if not, I’m here to crack some skulls.”
Guilt and shame soured my mouth, and I squeezed her arm to me. “Thanks for being here, Sam. After what happened the other day, it means everything. You need to know that I’m really, really sorry. What I did—it’s tearing me up.”
She scoffed. “Are you still worried about that scratch? It was nothing. Remember, I grew up in a pack. Life was rough.” She patted the arm looped through mine. “I broke this forearm alone three times. You’ve got nothing on seven-year-old werewolves.”
“It was more than a scratch,” I whispered as I tried to keep my emotions under control. I’d flat-out mauled my best friend in Magic Side. I’d never unsee what I’d done—her blood dripping from my hands.
Her eyes went gold, and even with my weakened senses, I could smell her abject hatred. “You didn’t attack me. He did, using you like a weapon. Do you know how pissed off that makes me? He used my girl to hurt me.That’s fucked up twice over. That bastard will get what’s coming to him.”
The memory of the Dark God’s roars of outrage after Sam had pelted him with the moonstone brought a thin smile to my lips. “You saved our asses, and you sure pissed him off. I don’t know which I appreciate more.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Man, if I had more moon magic, I’d vaporize that asshole. Just holding those moonstones felt like I was glowing from the inside out. Is that what your magic feels like when you use it?”
A shiver ran through me. I’d acclimated to the feeling of my magic—hell, I was already taking it for granted—but there was no denying that my magic felt dark, like ice water running over my skin.
It felt like his.
It wasn’t the first time I’d had the thought, and doubts nagged at me. Was the sorcerer part of me just as corrupted as the werewolf? Had it been so from the start?
Sam gently nudged my shoulder. “You okay? I sort of lost you, there.”
I forced a smile. “I wish Casey could have seen what you did. His eyes would have popped out of his head with jealousy.”
She laughed. “That, I would like to see.”
Before long, the scent of wolves strengthened, and the trees above began to thin. I could feel their signatures and could practically taste their anticipation.
We ascended a small slope, heading toward what I assumed was the center of the island. As we climbed, I tightened my grip on the straps of my bag and kept my gaze locked on Jaxson’s back. I let each footstep be a hammer, forging my resolve into a blade of steel. I’d been wronged. I‘d been toyed with. I‘d been pushed to the brink.
But I was not going to be pushed any longer.
Jaxson brushed away the last of the branches as we emerged into a clearing near the top of the hill.
Two jutting boulders formed a gateway into an open area beyond—a natural amphitheater of stones. I could see and smell dozens of wolves sitting in the space, and my mouth went dry. Here we go.
Four werewolves blocked our way forward—two were in their human forms, while the others were wolves. Their build betrayed their role: muscle.
A woman with long gray hair and dark eyes glared at us. I could feel the heat of her signature burning brightly. Definitely an alpha.
She inclined her head. “Jaxson.”
He nodded in return. “Camila.”
The tone of their voices was not kind.
Her eyes flicked to me, then back at him. “The council is waiting.”
Jaxson tilted to look past her, and his fists tightened. “Everyone is already assembled? You met before we arrived?”
“We had to discuss procedures and options. This is a grave situation, Jaxson. I’m not going to lie, what you two have done…”
She looked at me but didn’t give me the dignity of ending the sentence.
I wasn’t going to give these wolves the satisfaction of watching me grovel while they treated me like a criminal. Stepping up close beside Jaxson, I said, “You’re right. This is a grave matter. The Dark God is loose, and we’re all screwed if we don’t do something about it. So if you all haven’t spent your time making a plan for how to defeat him, then you’d better put away your claws and hear what we have to say.”
She gave me a warning smile and stepped aside, waving us through. “I think we are all very interested in what you have to say.”
Every instinct I had told me to run, but I fought them down. I wouldn’t show fear. I strode toward the entrance to the natural amphitheater with my chin held high.
Camila reached out and stopped Sam from proceeding. “You cannot enter.”
She was taken aback. “What? Why? I’m with them. I’ve sat in on dozens of meetings in the past.”
The gray-haired woman shook her head. “The Dark God changes everything. This gathering is for alphas and elders only. And the accused.”
“Accused?” Jaxson growled. “I thought this was a council of wolves, not a kangaroo court.”
Camila stiffened. “This is not a trial. Yet. But you will need to account for your actions, or we will take steps, despite your position on the council.”
Sam snarled at the woman. “This is bullshit.”